Gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue treatment of central precocious puberty is not associated with altered prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome: a single center cohort study

BACKGROUND: There is conflicting evidence regarding an association between gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) therapy and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study aimed to compare the prevalence of endocrine disorders, primarily PCOS, between women who had been treated with GnRHa for central precocious puberty (CPP) and those who were not treated. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study, including women diagnosed with central precocious puberty between 1989 and 2011 in a university affiliated tertiary medical center. Data collected included demographic data, medical background, clinical presentation at diagnosis and duration of treatment (zero for non-treated). Gynecologic and endocrine long-term outcomes were compared by treatment group. RESULTS: Fifty-one women were included in the study, 27/51 had been treated with gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa). Overall prevalence of PCOS was 19.6%. No statistically significant difference in prevalence of PCOS was demonstrated between the treated and non-treated groups. Similarly, overall prevalence of either clinical or laboratory hyper-androgenism, was 29.4% and 33.3%, for the treatment and non-treatment groups respectively (p = non-significant). CONCLUSIONS: GnRHa treatment for precocious puberty is not associated with increased risk of polycystic ovary syndrome.